Curcas Leaf Extract Research Articles

In-vitro, In-vivo Study of Jatropha curcas Leaves Extract, and Preparation of a Nanoemulsion by a Low-energy/Solvent-free Method, In-silico Study of β-Sitosterol in Ulcerative Colitis

Introduction: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by recurring colon inflammation, leading to severe symptoms and decreased quality of life. Jatropha curcas, a traditional remedy for UC, particularly its active component β-sitosterol, is investigated here for its potential therapeutic benefits. Methods: The study evaluated J. curcas leaf extract’s effects on RAW 264.7 cell lines in-vitro, demonstrating a significant reduction in IL-6 production and promising anti-UC properties. In-vivo experiments on BALB/C mice with DSS-induced colitis confirmed dose-dependent reductions in disease severity, colon tissue damage, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Additionally, a solvent-free nanoemulsion of J. curcas leaf extract was developed, exhibiting enhanced stability, encapsulation efficiency, and sustained release of active components, offering a promising drug delivery strategy for UC therapy. This interdisciplinary research contributes valuable insights into the therapeutic potential of J. curcas leaf extract and its nanoemulsion for UC treatment. Molecular docking simulations suggest strong binding affinities between β-sitosterol and inflammatory mediators, shedding light on its anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Pharmacokinetic and toxicity profiling further support the development of J. curcas-based UC therapeutics, laying a solid foundation for future studies and clinical applications.

Efficacy of Jatropha curcas Leaf Extract on Some Isolates Associated with Surgical Wounds

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the antibacterial efficacy of Jatropha curcas leaf extract against some isolates associated with surgical wounds.
 Study Design: This was a hospital-based study conducted in 2017 in the Department of medical microbiology unit of Bingham university teaching hospital and the national veterinary research institute (NVRI) both institutions are located in Jos Plateau State Nigeria.
 Methodology: A total of twenty (20) isolates from clinical specimens of surgical wounds were used. The following bacteria were identified using biochemical analysis: Staphylococcus aureus (15), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (3). Using standard methods of ethanol and aqueous extraction techniques, the leaves of the Jatropha curcas were examined for phytochemical content. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the isolate were determined using the broth dilution method, while the antibacterial activity of the isolate was observed using the agar well diffusion techniques.
 Results: The result of the phytochemical extraction shows the presence of the following Alkaloids (secondary metabolite) Saponins, Tannins, glycosides, Flavonoids, Oxalate, Terpenoids, Resins and steroids. The ethanol extract of Jatropha curcas exhibited antimicrobial activity against all the test bacteria with higher activity recorded with Staphylococcus aureus (15 mm) followed by Klebsiella pneumonia (12 mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10 mm). Aqueous extract of Jatropha curcas leaves did not exhibit significant antimicrobial activity against all the test isolates when compared to Ethanol Extraction However Aqueous extract of Jatropha curcas had a slight antimicrobial activity against only Staphylococcus aureus in the range of (5 mm to 7 mm). The MIC value for the ethanol extract of Jatropha curcas ranged from 100mg/ml to 200mg/ml while the MIC value for the aqueous extract was 200mg/ml. 
 Conclusion: The result of the present study shows that the ethanol and aqueous extracts of Jatropha Curcas leaves possess some antibacterial activities. The ethanol extract had higher antimicrobial activity than the aqueous extract on surgical wounds. It could therefore be inferred that these leaves contain bioactive constituents which can effectively inhibit the growth of some microorganisms. The plant could be used as an alternative therapy in the treatment of surgical wounds.

Evaluation of wound healing potential of Jatropha curcas leaf extracts ointment based on wound infection in Wistar rats model

This research study was conducted to evaluate the wound healing potential of ointment formulated with Jatropha curcas leaf extracts based on wistrar rat model. The therapeutic activities of the plant extracts were determined by topical application of the herbal ointment. Wound healing rate took place on the 16th day of post treatment with 1.0 g of J. curcas ointment formulation and 12th day with 2.0 g of the ointment, was similar compared with standard drug Gentamicin ointment (12 days). The control untreated group (62.3±0.51%) rate of wound closure observed persisted beyond the 19th day of post-wounding. The haematological parameters of the infected rats treated with herbal ointment and the control group untreated were not significant different (p>0.05). Significant increase in white blood cell (WBC) count in untreated group was recorded when compared with the treated group. However, treatment with the formulated ointments significantly increase the elevated WBC count in the treated group. The toxicological parameters in the serum of the rats are useful makers for the assessment of tissue damage. The serum Aspartate Transaminase (AST) and Alanine Transaminase (ALT) activities in the treated and untreated experimental groups were not significantly (p>0.05) different. The phytochemical components found in J. curcas leaves contain some useful potential antimicrobial agents that possess wound healing properties when formulated into a topical ointment for topical application.

Silver Nanoparticles’ Biosynthesis and Characterization with the Extract of Jatropha curcas Leaf: Analysis of Corrosion Inhibition Activity

The plant-mediated nanoparticles synthesis process is gaining popularity because of its effective cost, eco-friendliness, and nontoxic nature. The current study presents the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) which synthesized with AgNO3 as precursor salt and Jatropha curcas leaf extract. J. curcas leaf extract has phytochemicals that could reduce the precursor metal salt to nanoparticles and act as a capping agent surround the nanoparticles to enhance its stability. Phytochemical screening on J. curcas leaf extract showed that alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavanoids, steroids, philobatannins, phenols, and cardiac glycosides are contained in the sample. The biosynthesized nanoparticles were investigated by UV-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). UV-vis spectroscopy confirmed the fabrication of AgNPs at 250–400 nm. The solutions’ change of color from pale yellow to reddish brown indicated that AgNPs is formed. XRD analysis revealed that the synthesized AgNPs average crystal size was 36.4 nm. FTIR analysis indicated that the organic residues covered the nanoparticles. The inhibitory properties of the solution of the synthesized nanoparticles and the bulk extract were evaluated using medium carbon steel. The solution of the synthesized nanoparticles (10 ml) showed better corrosion inhibition efficiency of 87.10 % compared with the bulk extract.

English

The study was conducted to test the antifungal efficacy of J. curcas leaf extracts against Phaeoisariopsis personata (causal pathogen for groundnut late leaf spot disease) under in vivo conditions, and to identify important phytochemical constituents exhibiting antifungal properties. The results showed that the greatest reduction of late leaf spot disease incidence was achieved by all the Jatropha curcas leaf extracts at the highest concentration (0.5 mg mL-1) as 36.89, 36.59 and 24.67% for chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts, respectively. Subsequently, J. curcas leaf extracts treatments enhanced the growth and yield of groundnut compared with the control (untreated). The antifungal effects of J. curcas were supported by the presence of phytochemical constituents identified by GC-MS. Hexadecane; n-hexadecanoic acid; phenol, 2, 4 bis (-dimethylethyl); phytol and hexadecanoic methyl ester were detected as major phytocompounds in J. curcas leaf extracts that were possibly responsible for the antifungal activity. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers

Jatropha curcas Leaf Extract and Fractions Attenuate Hyperglycemia, Tissue Oxidation, and Kidney Dysfunction in Diabetic Rats

Jatropha curcas Leaf Extract and Fractions Attenuate Hyperglycemia, Tissue Oxidation, and Kidney Dysfunction in Diabetic Rats

One step hydrothermal green approach of CuO/Ag nanocomposites: analysis of structural, biological activities

In this present investigation, CuO/Ag Nanocomposites (NCs) were prepared by one step hydrothermal green method. The Jatropha curcas leaf extract was act as the reducing as well ascapping agent for synthesis of CuO/Ag NCs. The powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD) studies were investigated the crystal phase structure of CuO and Ag nanomaterials. The presence of oxygen vacancies and Cu interstitial defects in the synthesized material was determined by photo luminescence and Raman analysis. The CuO/Ag NCs was evidenced by TEM analysis and elemental composition of the prepared material was identified by EDAX analysis. The green synthesized CuO/Ag NCs exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity and better antioxidant DPPH free radical scavenging activity. The cytotoxicity of CuO/Ag NCs was assayed against osteoblast MC3t3-E1 and able to inhibit the cell growth by dose-dependent manner.

EFEKTIVITAS NEMATISIDA DAUN JARAK PAGAR (Jatropha curcas L.) DALAM MENGHAMBAT SERANGAN NEMATODA PURU AKAR (Meloidogyne spp.) PADA TANAMAN TOMAT

[THE EFFECTIVENESS Jatropha curcas (L.) LEAF EXTRACTS IN INHIBIT ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE (Meloidogyne spp.) INJURIES ON TOMATO]. One of the main problems in tomato cultivation is the attack of root purse nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). Some methods of controlling Meloidogyne spp. which can be done including using plants as vegetable nematicides. This study aims to get the concentration of Jatropha leaf extract which is effective in inhibiting the Meloidogyne spp attack on tomato plants. This study used 48 plants, 24 plants for observation 35 days after planting and 24 plants for observation until the age of 77 days after planting. This study used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with the treatment of Jatropha leaf extract concentrations (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%), and repeated four times. The results showed Jatropha curcas extract in inhibiting the attack of root purse nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) can maintain plant height, fruit number, fruit weight, and plant stover wet weight 35 days after planting, but no significant effect on stover wet weight plants 77 days after planting and dry weight of plant stover 35 days after planting and 77 days after planting. The concentration of Jatropha leaf extract tends to increase the concentration, the smaller the rate of infection and the population of Meloidogyne spp on tomato plants. The concentration of Jatropha leaf extract 35% - 45% is the optimum concentration in inhibiting Meloidogyne spp. on tomato plants.

Phytochemical analysis and larvicidal potentials of Jatropha curcas L. leaf and stem extracts against Anopheles gambiae

This study determined the bio active substances in the physic nut plant, Jatropha curcas and further examined the larvicidal potentials of its hexane, methanol and aqueous leaf and stem extracts on locally reared larvae of the malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae in accordance with the World Health Organization’s guidelines for laboratory and field testing of mosquito larvicides. Various concentrations (25mg/mL, 50 mg/mL 100mg/mL and 200 mg/mL) of the plant extracts were tested against third instar larvae of Anopheles gambiae. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of the different portions of J. curcas leaf and stem extracts revealed the presence of active toxic compounds including alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, glycoside and tannins. Methanolic extracts were found to be richer in phytochemicals than hexane and aqueous extracts. All plant extracts at the various concentrations showed significant larvicidal activity against Anopheles gambiae mosquito larvae between 30 minutes to 24 hours of exposure. Methanol leaf extract of J. curcas was most effective as it showed larval mortality of 75 to 100% on the test larvae after 30 minutes to 24 hours of exposure while the methanol stem extract showed 60 to 100% larval mortality. Hexane leaf extract showed larval mortality of 65 to 100% after 30 minutes to 24 hours of exposure whereas hexane stem extract had larval mortality of 60 to 100%. However, the aqueous leaf extract had 40 to 100% mortality as the aqueous stem extract showed 35 to 100% mortality after 30 minutes to 24 hours respectively. The methanol leaf extract showed highest toxicity against the test larvae with LC₅₀ value of 2.52 mg/ml; and LC₉₀ value of 218.15 mg/ml while the least toxicity was observed on aqueous stem extract with LC₅₀ value of 70.71 mg/ml; and LC₉₀ value of 1635.76 mg/ml after 30 minutes of exposure respectively. All the test larvae treated with various extracts exhibited 100% mortality after 24 hours of exposure with less concentrations of the extract required to kill the larvae as time of exposure increased. The toxicity of the various leaf extracts on the mosquito larvae were relatively greater than those of the stem. This is supported by the abundance of secondary metabolites. The findings suggest that the hexane, methanol and aqueous leaf and stem extracts of J. curcas have the potential to be used as an effective botanical larvicide.

In vivo and in vitro Toxicity Studies of Crude and Partially Purified Leaf Extracts of Jatropha curcas in Wistar Albino Rats

Aims: Jatropha curcas (J. curcas) is a plant that has numerous medicinal and industrial applications. Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo acute/sub chronic hepato-renal toxicity of crude methanol J. curcas leaf extract on albino rats, in vitro toxicity of the fractions and characterization of these fractions were carried out in this study. Study Design: Twenty albino rats were grouped into four, orally administered; 0, 100, 200, and 250 mg/kg daily of the crude extract for 28 days. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Bayero University Kano and Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Bayero University Kano between July 2016 and April 2017. Methodology: Partially purified fractions of the extract were obtained by column chromatography. Brine Shrimp Lethality assay of the crude extract and fractions were carried out. FTIR, GC-MS and LC-MS were used to characterize the fractions, one-way anova and probit analysis were used for data analysis. Results: The oral LD50 of J. curcas extract was found to be 2,391.65 mg/kg. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Direct bilirubin (D. BIL) and Albumin (ALB) showed significant (p < 0.05) differences while Alanine amino transferase (ALT), Aspartate amino transferase (AST), Total bilirubin (T. BIL) and Total protein (T.P) showed slight variations in some of the treated groups. Histological features of the liver showed dose dependent mild toxic effect of the extract. Creatinine and potassium levels showed significant (p < 0.05) differences while urea, chloride, sodium and bicarbonate levels slightly differ in some of the treated groups when compared to the control. Abnormal kidney histological features were only observed in the highest dose group. The crude leaf extract, fraction 1, and fraction 2 gave LC50 values of 109.07 µg/ml, 100 µg/ml, and 883.26 µg/ml respectively. Fraction 1 indicated the presence of ursolic acid, betulinic acid, and oleanolic acid while fraction 2 showed fragments of hydroxyl hopanone. Conclusion: This study showed various toxicity indices that revealed slight toxic effect of the crude methanol leaf extract.

Antibacterial Potential of Jatropha curcas Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles against Food Borne Pathogens.

The aqueous leaf extract of Jatropha curcas was used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Jc-AgNps) which were further evaluated for its antibacterial potential against food borne pathogens. J. curcas leaf extract could synthesize stable silver nanoparticles (Zeta potential: -23.4 mV) with absorption band at 430 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated various biological compounds responsible for capping and stabilizing Jc-AgNps in suspension, while the presence of silver was authenticated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray. Jc-AgNps were confirmed to be uniform in shape, size and behavior through dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction, SEM, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis. To investigate the antibacterial activity, disk diffusion and microplate dilution assays were performed and zone of inhibition (ZOI) as well as minimum inhibitory/bactericidal concentrations (MIC/MBCs) were evaluated against selected bacterial strains. Overall results showed that Escherichia coli (ZOI: 23 mm, MBC: 0.010 mg/ml) was the most sensitive organism, whereas Staphylococcus aureus (ZOI: 14.66 mm, MBC: 0.041 mg/ml) and Salmonella enterica (ZOI: 16.66 mm, MBC: 0.041 mg/ml) were the least sensitive against Jc-AgNps. The detailed microscopic investigations using SEM, TEM, and AFM were performed to understand the antibacterial impacts of Jc-AgNps against Listeria monocytogenes. SEM and TEM analysis showed the clear deformation and disintegration of treated L. monocytogenes cells, whereas AFM established a decrease in the height and cell surface roughness (root mean square value) in the treated L. monocytogenes.

Tumoricidal Activation of Macrophages using Jatropha curcas Leaf Extract: As a Proxy for the Treatment of Cancer

Abstract Background: Jatropha curcas (J. curcas) is a plant rich in methanolic. Macrophages can be activated to become tumoricidal through interactions with immunomodulators. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of J. curcas leaf extracts on the phagocytic activity of macrophages. Methods: Peritoneal-derived macrophages from male BALB/c mice were obtained using the method of Colligan et al. with some modifications. Latex was added as an antigen to cultures of BALB/c mice macrophages treated with two different concentrations of J. curcas extract and the cultures were observed every 30 minutes for 2 hours. Results: Macrophage latex vacuoles were observed after treatment with 15 μg/mL J. curcas leaf extract, with a mean latex vacuole count of 7.2 vacuoles/cell and a phagocytic index (PI) of 369. Macrophage treatment with 250 μg/mL J. curcas leaf extract produced a mean latex vacuole count of 8.1 vacuoles/cell and a PI of 785. Conclusion: Treatment with J. curcas leaf extracts increased the phagocytic activity of mice macrophages.

Insecticidal activity of Jatropha curcas extracts against housefly, Musca domestica.

The hexane and ether extracts of leaves, bark and roots of Jatropha curcas were screened for their toxicity against different developmental stages of housefly. The larvicidal, pupicidal and adulticidal activities were analysed at various concentrations (0.78-7.86 mg/cm(2)) of hexane and ether extracts. The lethal concentration values (LC50) of hexane extract of J. curcas leaves were 3.0 and 0.27 mg/cm(2) for adult and larval stages of housefly, respectively, after 48 h. Similarly, the ether extract of leaf showed the LC50 of 2.20 and 4.53 mg/cm(2) for adult and larval stages of housefly. Least toxicity was observed with hexane root extract of J. curcas with LC50 values of 14.18 and 14.26 mg/cm(2) for adult and larvae of housefly, respectively, after 48 h. The variation in LC50 against housefly pupae was found to be 8.88-13.10 mg/cm(2) at various J. curcas extract concentrations. The GC-MS analysis of J. curcas leaf extract revealed the presence of trans-phytol (60.81 %), squalene (28.58 %), phytol (2.52 %) and nonadecanone (1.06 %) as major components that could be attributed for insecticidal activity of J. curcas extracts.

English

Cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) also referred to as taro is an herbaceous root crop and its non availability throughout the year has implicated lack of good storage methods. Survey and storage experiments were therefore, conducted at the Department of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka to establish the scientific basis for adopting the indigenous technologies by the farmers and indentify the best among the technologies. The experiments were carried out in two phases. Phase (1) involved collection of farm level information on the existing fresh cocoyam preservation practices from the farmers through questionnaire interview while phase (2) involved the storage of cocoyam using some of the technologies based on their frequency of application by the communities. The storage experiment was laid out as 3 x 2 x 4 factorial in completely randomized design (CRD) and replicated four times. The storage techniques (treatments) were Pit + Casia alata + soil, Pit + Jatropha curcas leaf extracts + soil and no extract control. Twenty-four pits of each 0.7 m deep and 0.33 x 0.33 m2 were dug at the experimental field under plantain and banana shades. Out of the 720 farmers sampled, 34.7% used Pit + C. alata leaf + soil to store their cocoyams while only 11% represent those who did not add botanicals. Weight loss from cocoyams treated with C. alata leaf extracts inside storage pits was significantly (P &le; 0.05) lower than those treated with J. curcas and no treatment control. Similarly, treatment of cocoyams with both J. curcas and C. alata siginificantly (P &le; 0.05) reduced rot incidence compared to no treatment control but there was no significant effects of these botanicals sprout weight. Among the leaves used for storage of cocoyam in the study area, J. curcas and C. alata leaf extracts outstandingly reduced post-harvest losses of cocoyam suggesting that these botanicals posses some anti fungal or anti bacterial properties that reduced rots in the stored cocoyam. &nbsp; Key words: Cocoyam, botanical extracts, pit, shade, storage.

Dietary Inclusion of Ethanolic Extracts of Jatropha curcas on the Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Jatropha curcas leaf extract on the performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. One hundred and fifty day old Arbor Acre broiler chicks were used. They were divided into five treatments and each treatment was replicated five times. Treatment one, (Negati ve control, no antibiotics), Treatment two (positive control, with antibiotics) while treatments three, four and five had varying inclusion levels of the Jatropha curcas leaf extract (0.25 g/100 kg, 0.50 g/100 kg and 0.75 g/100 kg of feed respectively). Th e birds were raised for a total number forty two days during which, they were fed ad libitum on a deep litter system of management. Weekly weight gained and feed consumed were recorded. Evisceration of carcass was done after forty two days; each part was w eighed and recorded. Performance characteristics indicated no significant (P>0.05) difference in feed consumed and feed conversion ratio, but treatment 4 with 0.50 g/100 kg of Jatropha curcas extract has the best feed conversion ratio, but there were signi ficant (P<0.05) differences in total weight gain.

Characterization of Phytoconstituents in Leaf Extracts of Forest Species for Textile Applications

Abstract Antimicrobial fabric is increasingly used, and could eventually be required, in garments that are in direct contact with the human body, an environment that is ideal for microbial growth. Forest species such as Cassia fistula, Pongamia pinnata, Tectona grandis, and Jatropha curcas represent major groups of antimicrobial agents, which consist of active phytochemical constituents and can be used as antimicrobial agents for applying special finishes on textiles. In the present study, qualitative and quantitative screening of leaf extracts of forest species was carried out. Leaf extracts of C. fistula, P. pinnata, T. grandis, and J. curcas were prepared using solvents, viz., ethanol (70%), methanol (70%), choloroform, and deionized water. Extracts were determined for the presence of phytochemicals. Results of phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins in all the leaf extracts of selected forest species. However, the saponins were absent in P. pinnata and J. curcas leaf extracts, and terpenoids were absent only in P. pinnata extracts. Further, the total phenolic content (TPC) was evaluated using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay method, whereas total flavonoid content (TFC) was analyzed using the colorimetric method. Methanolic extracts of T. grandis, P. pinnata, and C. fistula exhibited the highest TPC and TFC in the increasing order 143.74, 161.53, and 228.08 mg, and 126.21, 148.33, and 179.1 mg, respectively, while J. curcas exhibited high amounts of TPC and TFC content in ethanolic extract. We therefore conclude that extracts from forest species such as C. fistula, P. pinnata, T. grandis, and J. curcas can be used for applying eco-friendly and healthy finishes to textile substrates.

Allelopathic effect of &lt;i&gt;Jatropha curcas&lt;/i&gt; (Lin) leachate on germination and early seedling growth of five (5) agricultural crops in Kano, Nigeria

Allelopathy refers to the chemical inhibition of one species by another. Decline in crop yields in cropping and agroforestry system in recent years has been attributed to allelopathy effects.Laboratory studies were conducted at Research Centre for Tissue Culture, Kazaure, Jigawa state (Longitude08¢ª 41 . N and Latitude12o 65 . E). The aim of this study is to investigate the allelopathic potentials of aqueous leaf extract of Jatropha curcason seed germination and early seedling growth of five (5) crops. J. curcas aqueous leaf extract was prepared by 100g, 50g, 20g powder dissolved in 500ml double distilled water and were tested for their allelopathic effect on some growth parameters of maize, millet, guinea corn, cowpea and ground nut. The effect of the different concentrations was compared with that of distilled water (control). Healthy seeds were sought and surface sterilized with 1% sodium hypochloride for 20 minutes. Laboratory study was conducted using sterilized petri dishes with double layer of Whatman filter paper at averagely 27oC and 70% humidity. An interval of 24, 48, 76 and 92 hours were recorded on germination studieswhile radicle and shoot lengths at 92nhours respectively. Decreased in germination percentage, shoot and radicle lengths of the crops studied were observed to be concentration dependent.All the concentration of the different extracts had inhibitory effect on the germination of all the cropscompared to control. Phytochemical screening of the J. curcas leaf extract was also determined.Keywords: Allelopathy, Jatropha, Germination, Phytochemicals, Extract.

Antimicrobial activity of the leaf extracts of &lt;i&gt;Moringa oleifera&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Jatropha curcas&lt;/I&gt; on pathogenic bacteria

This study evaluates the antimicrobial activity of the leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera and Jatropha curcas against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Different concentrations of the extracts were subjected to these organisms in which Moringa oleifera showed a higher zone of inhibition on Staphylococcus aureus (2.8 cm) while on E. coli (2.4 cm) while Jatropha curcas showed a higher zone of inhibition on E. coli (2.6 cm) while on S. aureus (1.80 cm). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Moringa oleifera extract on E. coli and S. aureus were 0.250 mg/ml and 0.125 mg/ml respectively while MIC of Jatropha curcas extract on test organisms was 0.125 mg/ml. The quantitative phytochemical screening in g/kg revealed the presence of flavonoid 36 and 21, alkaloids 92 and 39, tannins 7.4 and 5.6, saponins 115.0 and 53.5, cyanogenic glycosides 8.4 and 14.5 for M. oleifera and J. curcas respectively. The observed antimicrobial properties could be due to the presence of these bioactive compounds and further substantiates the use of Moringa oleifera and Jatropha curcas leaf extracts in medicine. The extracts in correct doses can successfully be used in vivo to inhibit and eventually kill the test bacteria used in this study. © 2013 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Moringa oleifera, Jatropha curcas, phytochemicals, bacteria, antimicrobial.

Evaluation of anti-viral activity of Jatropha curcas leaf extracts against potentially drug-resistant HIV isolates

Methods In vitro micro-co-culture was employed for virus isolation followed by drug susceptibility assays to determine resistance to Azidothymidine (AZT) and Lamivudine (3TC). Jatropha curcasleaves were extracted using Soxhlet apparatus. Methanolic (ME) and aqueous (AE) extracts were chosen for further study. Secondary metabolites were detected by High-Performance Thin Laye rChromatography and in vitro cytotoxicity established by MTT assay. Anti-viral activity was evaluated by p24 inhibitionin postand pre-infection interaction studies.

Larvicidal efficacy of Jatropha curcas and bacterial insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis, against lymphatic filarial vector, Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae).

The present study explored the effects of Jatropha curcas leaf extract and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis larvicidal activity against the lymphatic filarial vector, Culex quinquefasciatus. Wights were selected for investigating the larvicidal potential against the first to fourth instar larvae of the laboratory-reared mosquito species, C. quinquefasciatus Say, in which the major lymphatic filariasis was used. The medicinal plants were collected from the area around Bharathiar University, Coimbatore. The dried plant materials were powdered by an electric blender. From the powder, 100 g of the plant materials was extracted with 300 ml of organic solvents of methanol for 8 h, using a Soxhlet apparatus, and filtered. The crude plant extracts were evaporated to dryness in a rotary vacuum evaporator. The plant extract showed larvicidal effects after 24 h of exposure; however, the highest larval mortality was found in the leaf extract of methanol J. curcas against the first to fourth instar larvae of values LC(50) = 1.200%, 1.290%, 1.358%, and 1.448% and LC(90) = 2.094%, 2.323%, 2.444%, and 2.544% and B. thuringiensis israelensis against the first to fourth instar larvae of values LC(50) = 9.332%, 9.832%, 10.212%, 10.622% and LC(90) = 15.225%, 15.508%, 15.887%, and 15.986% larvae of C. quinquefasciatus, respectively. No mortality was observed in the control. These results suggest methanol extracts of J. curcas and B. thuringiensis israelensis have potential to be used as an ideal eco-friendly approach for the control of the major lymphatic filarial vector, C. quinquefasciatus.